DeLoris Mariel Yavor

Born July 28, 1932 in the family home in Gary, Indiana. She was the daughter of Clarence and Mary (Felton) King.

On September 2, 1950 she married the love of her life, John J. Yavor. Together they shared 54 years of marriage, raising their family, serving their community and building a life filled with shared interests and friendships. They remained devoted to one another until John’s passing on September 25, 2004. The love and commitment they shared remained an important part of DeLoris’s life for the years that followed.

DeLoris raised three children through good times and bad. She was never one to complain about difficult circumstances. Instead, she met life with quiet strength and a willingness to do whatever was needed for her family. Her desire was to simply care for those she loved and to serve her Church and community.

DeLoris’s life of service began when Portage was growing from a small township into a city. She volunteered for the Police Auxiliary, eventually becoming president, was active in the Portage Jaycees, Little League, Babe Ruth, Biddy Basketball and other local organizations. In later years she volunteered as a Candy Striper at Porter Memorial Hospital and eventually became a full-time employee in the hospital’s food service department. She also volunteered for the Caring Place and the Hobart Humane Society. Her life demonstrated that service is often expressed not through grand gestures, but through years of faithfully caring for one’s family, friends, neighbors and community.

She possessed an adventurous and competitive spirit. Beginning in the mid-1950s she became an auto racer at the Illiana Motor Speedway and competed in stock drag racing. She loved to tell stories in later life of how she won every race she competed in. Her competitiveness and enthusiasm to compete during an era when few women pursued such activities reflected her independent nature, courage and determination.

DeLoris and John were active members of the Pottawatomie Bowman’s Archery Club, the Izaak Walton League and other organizations serving the growing Portage community, forging many friendships and creating countless memories. Later in life they became avid campers.

DeLoris is survived by her children, Mark (Sandra) Yavor of Cumberland, IN; John (Diane) Yavor of Cape Coral, FL; Robin Coleman of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren: Amie Yavor, Jennifer Jones, Jason (Nicole) Yavor, Sara (Jared) Massey; great-grandchildren, Ariel Jones, Kaylin Khounsavat, Jade and Jona Massey and a great-great-granddaughter Onyx Moon.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, perseverance and service. Her family and the many people whose lives she touched will carry her memory with them.

After 94 years of life, service, and love, DeLoris has finished her earthly journey. She is now in the presence of Jesus, whom she loved, and is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

There will be a short graveside service on October 17, 2026 at 11:00 am at Graceland Cemetery, 1505 Morthland Dr., Valparaiso, IN. Following the service there will be a celebration of life at Uncle Menny’s Original Greek’s Pizzeria, 59 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso IN.